It was one of the viewings in Mirkwood that truly caught their attention.
The initial meeting with the Elves, after fighting spiders, had interested them all. Ares was especially keyed up, going on about fighting styles and how he would love to see them in more conventional warfare. Hermes was considering the pranking possibilities of the giant spiders, only to have Athena whack him upside the head. Her children were not the only ones adverse to arachnids. Artemis and Apollo were discussing the Elves' ability in archery, both arguing they could do better. Triton was groaning at Percia's babbling, while Tyson and Amphitrite both found it endearing. But it was Aphrodite that alerted them to the fact Kili had just met his soul mate, a beautiful redheaded elf.
They all watched as Percia realized Kili's change of affection and the brave front she put on for the rest of the company. They saw how she did not allow herself to cry until she was safely within her cell and even then she made sure no one else really knew. Even Ares, who was not one for emotions, offered to help her brothers teach the Dwarf a lesson. The boy didn't even have the decency to speak to Percia about his change of heart, choosing to act as if nothing had ever been between them.
They admired the way she managed to move on though, remaining amiable with the others. Ares, Athena and Artemis enjoyed the debates she and Fili had about strategy, and Apollo complimented her drawing skills, though he too agreed she needed some red paint for the eyes.
However, for the first time ever they were drawn into one of her dreams. Tyson remarked how she mentioned having similar dreams all through her quests and the two wars. None had realized just how vivid her visions actually were. Many looked to Apollo accusingly, but the god swore he had no knowledge of any seer blood in her line. When the vision faded out silence lingered in the room.
"So that Urchin was the one who sent your mate to the other world," Hephaestus spoke quietly.
"Yes," Triton ground out, his body rigid with fury, fists shaking.
"How does he know about big sis," Tyson asked worriedly. "Aside from everyone here, Janus and the Fates, no one else knows."
"You've got a spy," Ares muttered flatly. At the looks sent his way he continued. "It's a sound tactic. The rat wants you gone, but he could not face the might of all of Atlantis, likely has been licking his wounds for a time. But he needed someone on the inside to keep him apprised of your actions and likely your health. During the past two wars your army was constantly on guard, likely against Oceanus' forces, but enough to make the timing wrong for him to do anything to you. Plus the ol' blowfish had more focus on his domain, because of the possible attacks from the Titans. Now…"
"His attention is no longer here," Athena continued for him, nodding in agreement. "Likely he would have attacked you sooner or later to finish you off, especially since Poseidon is otherwise distracted. But then the Fates told Percia of the issue and she came to Lady Amphitrite to find the truth. I doubt he expected any of your sisters to undertake such a quest."
"But why not just attack while Percia is gone? Our attention would be on her and not him," Triton argued. "He still could have attacked."
"Because you are no longer wasting away," Apollo stated factually. "Before, you were losing strength daily, which would make you ripe for the picking. He simply had to wait until you had nothing left. But now, you have hope, and that is a strong motivator. You've even gained back some of the power you lost. Urchin would not want to risk a battle he might still lose, he wants an easy kill."
"Which would explain why he sent such a creature after Percia," Amphitrite added, concern shining through her eyes. "It would take a great foe to stop her once she is determined. He plans to destroy your hope of Kora's return and in turn destroy you."
"Did the witch look familiar to either of you," Artemis asked solemnly. She liked Percia, even though she refused to join her Hunters, she was always courteous and kind to everyone she met. Seeing this cretin send such a monster after the young hero enticed her anger. "Though we cannot stop the one she has already sent, perhaps we can prevent her from doing any more witchcraft in the future."
Looks passed around the room as they came to an agreement. Urchin and his witch were messing with family. Granted they didn't always agree, and often quarreled, but it was their right as family to mess with each other, this fool would not be allowed to continue his schemes.
"What if she's managed other spells for him, before this," Hermes offered slowly, his mind whirling over the information they had discovered through the weeks of watching the quest. When the others just looked at him in confusion he elaborated. "Hear me out. It wasn't until after the war with Gaea ended that Triton took a down turn. You didn't have an enemy to be strong against or anything to really keep your mind off your lost mate, thus you declined faster," he explained to the merman. "But Poseidon still paid attention to his realm and his kids. Then suddenly this Trent shows up, out of nowhere. Now I know Unc's great at keeping his kids secret, look at Percia and Tyson, but he never had a direct hand in their raising, not like what supposedly happened with this Trent. Plus we all agree, no matter how many kids he had, unless they turned truly evil, he still paid attention to them equally. And he still paid equal attention to his realm and his duties…"
"But now his mind is consumed by Trent," Athena finished for him, eyes widening in realization. "You're right. As much as I despise Poseidon, he was never so… absent minded about his duties to his people or his children."
"You are thinking this witch created Trent and somehow spelled my husband to believe he was his child," Amphitrite demanded more than a little skeptical. "There is no way she could have such power."
"She might if she had help," Apollo advised softly. "It is not secret Oceanus still has forces free in the seas, though he himself is still trapped. It is also no secret that Triton being King of Atlantis relieves uncle of some of his burdens. He has always said Triton is his greatest general and he relies heavily on you. If you were to die, it would be a great blow to Poseidon."
"It wouldn't take much to use Urchin to do the dirty work," Ares added dryly. "Guys like that brag about their grand schemes. The right word in the right ear and an offer of power or money and the kid would be hooked. Doubt he realizes he's being used."
"If the plan works a Titan would have a foothold in the world again," Hephaestus murmured thoughtfully. "We have already lost much in these past wars, our children especially. We cannot allow them such a victory; it would undermine all we have already fought for."
"So what should our next step be," Aphrodite queried.
"I believe it is time to bring Zeus and Hades in on this." The group jumped in shock having not noticed the arrival of Hera, Queen of the Gods. She stood there regally eying each one. While she had been aware of the latest quest of Percia, she had not overly concerned herself with it. Still, she kept abreast of the situation, mostly because she enjoyed knowing things her husband did not. Now she was glad for her vigilance. Too much had been sacrificed to allow the Titans any power in their world; she herself had risked much on the demi-gods of both camps. Thankfully her gamble had paid off and her faith repaid. Nothing would ruin her hard work.
Knowing she had the full attention of the room she continued. "We will need them to restrain Poseidon so we can verify he is in fact enchanted. Hermes and Apollo can check with the Fates to see if Trent's string is a recent construct as we suspect. Triton and Tyson should work to find this witch and destroy any talismans she might have used in her spell work. Urchin needs to be captured and brought to reign, to lessen any damage he might try."
"What about big sis," Tyson posed fidgeting worriedly.
For once Hera actually showed some compassion for a hero not her own. She and Percia had never and would never see eye to eye, however, the girl had always done what was right, even if she didn't always agree. Hera respected her for that. "She is a Hero of Olympus many times over. We must trust in her strength and abilities."
None really liked the answer, but they could not argue with it either.